A CPSC spokesperson said that while no official acceptable cadmium-level standard currently exists for consumer products, the McDonald's glasses contain slightly more cadmium that what is now currently accepted.

The 16-ounce glasses had been available for sale at McDonald's stores to promote the third Shrek movie that recently hit the box office. The cadmium in question is used in the paint that depicts each of the four main Shrek characters. McDonald's is urging customers to immediately stop using the glasses. For additional information on this recall, customers may contact McDonald's at (800) 244-6227 Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm CST, or visit the company's website at http://www.mcdonalds.com. While McDonald's has taken action to recall and discontinue the selling of the Shrek glasses, it is disturbing news that the recall was only issued after an anonymous informant notified the office of Congressional Representative Jackie Speier, Democrat from California. The public should not have to rely on secretive informants to reveal dangerous products that may result in harmful medical problems. Companies like McDonald's must do a better job of protecting the public from their mistakes, especially when those mistakes may turn out to be life-threatening in the long run.